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Chapter 59
59 Come With Me
(Jayden)
I pat her on the head. "I'm okay, Abby. I'm glad you're here though." Her small smile lights up a part of me that's been dark for too long.
"I thought she might cheer you up. We were at the park, Winona says, her voice soft but tinged with
concern.
"Come in. I was just thinking about something" My voice comes out strained, barely masking the turmoil roiling within me.
"Are you okay? I mean, that was unbelievable really. I think we all need to lick our wounds for a while." Winona says.
"I'm angry." We walk into the lounge area, the weight of the day pressing down on us. I sit and pull Abby up onto my lap, her warmth a temporary balm to my frayed nerves. "With Gus?"
"With myself." I sigh, running a hand through my hair, feeling the frustration build.
"You can't blame yourself for what he's done. What everyone around you has done." Winona's voice is soothing, but it doesn't reach the core of my guilt
"I dropped the ball with Brennan Industries. Gus is right. I'm not in a position to be running that company. I know that now." The admission feels like a knife twisting in my gut, sharp and unrelenting.
"You're just going to walk away?" Winona's eyes widen, a flicker of disbelief crossing her face.
"No way." I smile, a determined edge creeping into my voice. "I'm going to get my company back."
Winona smiles, and it's like the first ray of sunshine breaking through a storm. "What?" I ask, caught off guard by her sudden shift in mood.
"That's the very first time since I've been back that you sounded like you used to be, before the accident."
"Is that a good thing?" I lean forward, my heart pounding in my chest.
"I think so. You need to get your confidence back, you know?" Her words are a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink.
"I'm sorry about Phillip. Actually, I'm not. But I am sorry he hurt you. I'm sorry my mother had anything to
do with that."
"Better to find out now. I'm very hurt and betrayed but I can focus on Abby. She's what's important, getting her health back on track for her future." Winona's strength amazes me, her resolve unwavering even in the face of such pain. I nod, my mind racing. "And the offer from Nexus Global?"
She shrugs, a weary gesture. "I haven't opened it. I'm not taking it. There's no way I can work those hours.
I don't want to. I still haven't forgiven myself for doing long hours before Abby fell ill."
"I have an idea. The thought strikes me, sudden and urgent.
"Daddy, can I go play? Abby's innocent voice breaks the tension.
"Sure, I have a whole playroom for you." I give her a kiss on the cheek, savoring the simple joy of this moment. "Just go through that door." I point at the room I've set up off the lounge room.
Used to be an office, now it's for Abby.
She runs off, her excitement on her face. We can hear her saying wow and telling Puppy all about his new friends. The sound brings a smile to my face.
Winona smiles again. I like that. "So, this idea?"
"I need to go be in Santa Monica, my best chance at convincing those shareholders to sell to me is there."
"You want to stage a hostile takeover of your own? Winona's eyes widen, a mix of surprise and admiration.
"I do, and I will."
"How long will that take?"
"Not sure, but I'm in this for the long haul. If my family life has taught me anything it's patience and endurance. Anyway, Santa Monica beach will be amazing." I try to inject some optimism, though it feels forced. Winona looks down, a shadow crossing her face. "Just what you need."
"Come with me." The words slip out before I can think them through.
"What!? No." Her reaction is immediate, her tone firm.
"Why not? Abby needs the sun and fresh air. The beach would be amazing for her. She doesn't need an operation for six months. We have that long"
"She's about to start preschool."
"Schools are there too."
Winona looks confused, torn. "Jayden, I get why you think this is a good idea but...you and I, well..."
"No strings attached, Winona. I'm nowhere near ready to be in any relationship, not after finding out about Ashlyn and Lance. But the relationship I'd like to foster is with Abby. I've missed so much." The plea is raw, my need to connect with my daughter outweighing everything else. Winona looks a little sad, her eyes reflecting a pain I wish I could erase. "I'm sorry, I just had no choice."
"I'm not blaming you. Thank you for keeping her safe and raising her out of all the toxicity. I'm not letting my mother interfere anymore. I'm holding her responsible for me missing out on Abby's early years."
She needs help, and if she wants to have me and my children in her life, she damn well better get help.
"But Ashlyn, and the baby. You can't just leave them here."
"I can temporarily. Ashlyn and I can't be together, not after this. We'll stay married until after this baby is
born." The resolve in my voice is unyielding, a plan forming in the chaos.
"I'm not sure that's wise. Leading her on like that."Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Sa Coma
I won't be. I'll just tell her I need a break, but I don't want a divorce."
"She's not just going to let you be in Santa Monica with me and Abby."
"I don't care what she thinks. I want to build a future with Abby. I don't need her permission for that."
"Look, I know you don't want to think that these people in your life are dangerous. And for you they aren't. But for me, they are. I've been threatened by them before. I'm not taking any chances and I won't put Abby under threat."
"I get it. But I'm not letting them rule my life or Abby's. I won't ever let anything happen like that."
"You've told me that before, Jayden. Then you were downright cruel to me. I won't ever put myself in that position again. You and I can never be together. Not like that."
"I understand, and I'm not asking you for that. What do you need from me to consider bringing Abby to Santa Monica?"
She considers my question, her eyes searching mine. To rent my own place and for us to not do family life like billionaires. I want her to understand life isn't about money being on tap."
"I can do that."
60 Decisions Decisions